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While Le'Andria Johnson is celebrating her newfound success in gospel music and gearing up for the release of her Christmas EP, Christmas Best, she reveals that all that glitters isn't gold. In an in depth interview with the Associated Press, the twice-divorced single mother of three, confesses her sins: partying, drinking, and living it up, all while singing the gospel.

Associated Press contributor, Johnathan Landrum Jr. writes, "She earned a recording contract after her victory, performed on the network's 'Celebration of Gospel' and was on her way to gospel stardom, but Johnson still didn't want to swear off worldly habits such as going out to the nightclub, drinking alcohol or smoking. At one point, she felt like she couldn't live up to the standards expected for an inspirational singer."

Johnson was selfish in her focus, wanting the fame and success stardom brought, without being accountable in her walk with God. "I didn't want to be disrespectful to God," Johnson said, though she, in fact, was being just that. "I wanted to cool out for the moment and do me, go out or do anything."

And she did... for a while. But then, the singer felt convicted. "But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't do it. Going out to the club — I couldn't. Drinking — I just couldn't do it."

This is the real danger for BET's Sunday Best franchise, argue opponents of the show who believe gospel music is different from mainstream. In their eyes, gospel is a ministry, but Sunday Best is entertainment, where judges choose artists based on talent, not integrity or commitment to Christ. Critics of the show claim pushing someone out to center stage is elevation from man, not God.

"When you see that mic in my hand, I'm giving you what happened to me last week or last month," Johnson said. "Good or bad, I'm giving you my story. My music is my reality show."

Matthew Knowles' Music World Gospel will release Le'Andria Johnson's Christmas Best on November 21, 2011.

What do you think? Is BET's Sunday Best guilty of putting artists out before they are ready? Is the show good for gospel or not? Share your thoughts.

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Reader Comments (16)

Proves my point! I feel like a voice crying out in the wilderness most of the time. I have gotten into loooong debates with my family over this. There are some people who are gifted but are not ready spiritually to minister to the masses. Just sayin'

I have mixed emotions. On the one hand I think yes, sunday best pushes these people out here but that might not be what God wants. Then, a part of me also feels like everybody has struggles. Some of the gospel artists that are well known struggle. Preachers struggle. Just think about Zachery Tims and Eddie Long. They weren't on reality TV, no, but they struggled privately. And everyday people like me that NOBODY knows outside of my small family and friends circles has struggles. Ours just are not broadcasted because we are not famous.

God won't allow your talent to take your where your character can't sustain you. When we see cases like this, we see the hands of man all over it. That woman has personal issues SHE need someone to minister to, not the other way around. Praying for her strength. SMH

I see this as an inspirational story. I think we all need to see the Le'Andria's of the world because their struggles being put on display is not a bad thing if they learn the right path and then can tell somebody don't make the mistakes I did.

Uh oh. This looks like the Fantasia of gospel to me. #Hotmess I read the whole article and she still hands out with people drinking and carrying on, but SHE doesn't do it anymore. I think she needs to change her company because it's not cute to be singing and preaching Jesus when you know your life is not right.

I think there is something to be learned here for sure. I pray God blesses and exalts Le'Andria's ministry, but I think those who pursue their own path and make their inroads can work they way into a spotlight without realizing that its glare only magnifies their flaws. We shouldn't live for God just because we need to live up to some standard or expectation from others. We should do it because it is in our hearts to serve hin.

Finally, I have been waiting for a platform to voice my opinion on the Sunday Best winner (s). I applaud LeAndria's courage to admit and repent for dishonoring God. That took alot of nerve! I watched the season, in which she won and I really felt the brokenness in her singing. The winner this season...she is truly a talented singer, and although I think vocally she was better than the first runner up, I only saw true worship and anointing once during the whole season. The one show that she allowed the Holy Spirit to abide-was awesome! Other times, the judges had to tell her week after week, about connecting with the songs and the meanings. She always seemed to be performing to me. Now I get that it was a competition, but I think she got more caught up in that, than who she was singing about. I know that we are all different and express ourselves in different ways, and I'm sure she is a very nice person, but it really bothered me when she won. It was obvious to me that the first runner-up had a relationship with God (through her singing), not just a tale of hardships and talent. I pray that I am completely wrong about Amber and that she truly means and lives, what she sings about.

I pray that LeAndria will surround herself with a circle of people (family, friends, Christian mentors, etc.),who love her enough to say, "okay girl, that ain't right, you are singing for the Lord and setting an example for your children, let's get it together and move forward"! People who don't care about the money or record sales, but are simply concerned about her soul! Don't we all need people like that in OUR lives... ?!

I agree with @Tomeka! We have to have somebody holding us accountable. But when people get famous a lot of times we treat them like they are special. But they are in ministry! And they need to be told the truth.

I don't watch Sunday Best. I think the competition turns me off. Gospel music is ministry, not a talent show or popularity contest. There's more focus on the delivery than getting folks delivered and I can't hang with that.

We all are human! We are not perfect nor were we made to be. Leandria's struggles are her testimony and my my my she delivers that testimony with a mighty gift! I don't think Sundays Best put artists out before they are ready. We all are given a mind to choose and its up to that person to choose right or wrong. With or with out fame and fortune we will choose what we want or don't want. With that being said, Leandria Johnson without your testimony(s)somebody wouldn't be here to testify...I am one of them, Thank you and I love you Leandria! Remain who you are and remember a sinner is only a saint who fell down! Only God and God alone can judge you! No matter how people turn your testimony into a negative for conversation. I know that you are an Angel sent to save souls. I was already saved, but I was going through a very very rough period. If it had not been for your testimony, I would have committed suicide! Not only that you have an awsome gift that must be heard. You know your worth Leandria don't let the media and people who have no idea who you are destroy you!!! Much Much Love!!!!!